Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Princeton: Parades, Tree Lightings, More

PRINCETON, NJ — There are plenty of things going on around Princeton to celebrate the 2023 winter holidays.

Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, starts at sundown on Dec. 7, and ends at nightfall on Dec. 15. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the season.

Menorah lighting in Princeton:

• The Jewish Center of Princeton will be hosting the Annual Menorah Lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at Palmer Square, at 4 p.m. There will be music and lots of fun.

Christmas tree lighting:

• Princeton's annual tree lighting ceremony already took place on Nov. 24. So you can visit Palmer Square and see the spruce with 32,000 lights.

Apart from the tree and menorah lighting, there are a lot of Holiday events in Princeton. Morven Museum will be hosting the Festival of Trees, an annual winter decorative display that has become a must-see Princeton holiday tradition. Visitors enjoy the museum’s elegant galleries, mantels, and porches artfully decorated for the holidays by local businesses, garden clubs, and non-profit organizations. The display is up through Jan. 4, 2024.

Christmas parades, often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands, are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

Attending the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is a bucket list item for many families. If you can’t be in New York City, the parade will be live-streamed on NBC and Peacock, the network’s streaming service, from 8:30 a.m. to noon Eastern Time.

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Some to catch in the area and NJ are:

• Palmer Square: The tree lighting ceremony will be held Friday and then throughout the Holiday season you can enjoy twinkling lights at Palmer Square.
• Martel's Christmas Wonderland, Hamilton: People travel from all over New Jersey to check out these holiday lights. The walk-through light display is open seven days a week (weather permitting) until New Year’s Day.
• Kruser Farm Mansion, Hamilton: This magnificent Queen Anne-style country home sits on a 22-acre farm. They offer tours of this historic home and have lovely holiday light displays during this time of year. Click here for this year's timings.
• Lawrenceville: Lawrenceville has a township tradition where they host a holiday house decorating contest. Several families participate and decorate their homes with wonderful holiday lights. You can take a leisurely drive around town and check out the twinkling lights. The Lawrence Township Town Hall will be decorated with lights as well.
• Winter Wonderlights in East Brunswick, through Dec. 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Related:

• Santa Claus Is Coming To Princeton For Christmas: Where To See Him
• Where To Cut A Christmas Tree In Princeton